Obituary of John F. Connolly Sr

John F. Connolly, Sr. 95 of Lafayette Hill and longtime resident of Spring Lake, NJ passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 4, 2026 at his residence at Atria Lafayette Hill with his loving family by his side.  

John was born and raised in Newark, NJ and was a graduate of Seton Hall Prep, West Orange, and Spring Hill College in Mobile AL.  Upon completion of college, he pursued advanced studies at The University of Fribourg and the University of Geneva in Switzerland.  

In 1955 he married Katherine Boyle Kip. They settled in Spring Lake in 1964.  John forged a long and successful career as an executive in the construction business

John was known for his quick wit and dry and infectious sense of humor.  With his wife Katherine, he was a member of the Spring Lake Golf Club and Spring Lake Bath and Tennis Club and a former member of the Metropolitan Club of New York.   

John was a devout Roman Catholic and longtime parishioner of St. Catherine’s in Spring Lake where he was a Eucharistic minister.   For the last five years he was a dedicated parishioner of St. Philip Neri, Lafayette Hill.  Many commented that he was the best dressed man in the church.  John was also a Knight of Malta.

John was an avid golfer having played prestigious courses all over the world.   He scored three hole-in ones.  John loved his golden retrievers, and especially his last dog, a yellow lab Tara, his companion at Atria.

John was predeceased by his wife of 64 years Katherine, by his parents Dr. John J. Connolly and Ruth Moran Connolly and his sisters Jean, Ruth (Nan), Mary, and Jane.

John is survived by his loving sons John Connolly, Jr. and his wife Kim of Lafayette Hill, PA and Peter Connolly and his wife Kathleen of Bloomfield Hills, MI.  John was the cherished grandfather to John Connolly III (Stephanie), Timothy Connolly, Mark Connolly (Caroline), Peter Joseph Connolly, Christina Schmidtmann (Gavin), and Jack Connolly and great grandfather of Mary Claire Connolly.  He is also survived by his sister Sue Kinney (Richard) as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visitation beginning 9:30AM followed by a Mass at 11:00am on Tuesday March 17, 2026 at St Philip Neri Church, Lafayette Hill.  Burial will be private and at a later date.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to InspiriTec 340 N. 12th Street Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19107 (www.inspiritec.org).